DETECTIVES are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests after a post mortem failed to pinpoint how a Bolton woman died in a Station Road flat.

The body of Karen Vail, 26, was discovered in a bed at the property on Thursday, December 6 and a man has been arrested and bailed by police investigating how she died.

Detective Inspector Steve Gould says the arrested man, who is not being named, met the woman the night before she died and she spent her final hours at his flat.

Unable to rouse her on Thursday afternoon, the man called an ambulance but she was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Mr Gould said: 'A post mortem has been carried out but we are not expecting the results of toxicology tests until into the New Year. We are keeping an open mind and our enquiries are continuing in an effort to establish exactly how she died.

'We believe Ms Vail may have been in the town for four days before she died and we are keen to hear from anyone who knew her and, in particular, anyone who might have seen her near to the service station in Station Road in the early hours of that Thursday.'

Karen Vail was white, 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build with dark shoulder-length hair curly hair and was probably dressed in a tracksuit.

* Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ellesmere Port CID on 01244 613033.